fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈdü 

-ˈdyü, 

ˈfän-ˌd(y)ü

variants or less commonly fondu

1

: a dish similar to a soufflé usually made with cheese and bread crumbs

2

a(1)

: a preparation of melted cheese (such as Swiss cheese and Gruyère) usually flavored with white wine and kirsch

(2)

: a dish that consists of small pieces of food (such as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped into a hot liquid

beef fondue

chocolate fondue

b

: a chafing dish in which fondue is made

Examples of fondue in a Sentence

dip fruit in melted chocolate to have a chocolate fondue

Recent Examples on the Web

Think melted cheese cuisine (raclette, fondue, tartiflette) and spa hotels with outdoor fire pits and indoor hot tubs, plus easy access to skiing, and every other winter sport imaginable. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Classic dishes like cheese fondue, steaks and crème brûlée match the vintage look of the room, with its tassel gold chandeliers and red velvet bar chairs. —Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

In 2020, delegates dipped into communal fondue fountains as COVID-19 circulated in plain view not far away. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

For foamy flights, head to Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais and order a Palisade Porter with a side of Gouda fondue. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative from feminine of fondu, past participle of fondre "to melt," going back to Old French — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fondue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

fondue

noun

fon·​due fän-ˈd(y)ü 

: a preparation of melted cheese and flavorings